propensity

USAGE SUMMARY

"propensity" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adjective used to describe a natural inclination or tendency to act in a certain way. For example, "He had a propensity for taking risks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He describes the latter as "an incurious 'presentism' – combining a lack of historical sense, a pervasive contempt for the wisdom of the past, a fascination with novelty simply because it is new and a propensity to over-react to every ephemeral focus group finding or tabloid whim".

The Guardian - Opinion

Architecture has always been a male-dominated profession, inevitably leading to a propensity for priapic forms.

The Guardian - Arts

The England hopeful has scored in six of his last seven league outings, racking up nine goals in those matches and, given Spurs' propensity to win matches by a single goal – doing so on 10 occasions in the league this season – it's likely that the 21-year-old will have a big say on Tottenham's final standing.

The Guardian - Sport

"A combination of deregulation, above average GDP growth, a growing middle class and supportive migration trends in an area with a large population is expected to drive higher propensity to air travel and higher low-cost carrier penetration".

The Guardian - Business

It also revealed her propensity for making gaffes and outlandish accusations, such as her claim that the Muslim Brotherhood had "deep penetration" within government.

The Guardian

Sharing that view in the New Statesman, Rhiannon Lucy Coslett writes: "By using society's propensity to pigeonhole women as vulnerable victims against her drunken sexist of a husband, you could argue that [Amy Dunne] is taking back the power in her relationship.

The Guardian - Film

According to his report, "given the budget forecast of a relatively unchanged jobs market and the potential contractionary impact of measures that reduce disposable incomes of low-income families (who tend to have a high propensity to consume) it is unlikely that the second‐round impacts would improve the budget impacts for low-income families".

The Guardian

With a decent average rating of 7.27 in his five Premier League starts, he tends to do well when given a significant amount of playing time, and he is almost worthy of a place in the team solely for his propensity to produce something outstanding out of nothing.

The Guardian - Sport

Traits associated with bullies include narcissism, unstable self-esteem, anxiety and a lack of social competence, likewise traits linked to victims are vulnerability, low self-esteem and a propensity to experience negative emotion.

The Guardian

Today, with greater protection, there seems to be more of a propensity for batsmen to flinch and turn their backs on anything nasty.

The Economist

A propensity to save too much and consume too little has other causes than demography.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "propensity", consider the context to ensure it accurately conveys the degree of inclination. For example, use it when describing a natural or inherent tendency, rather than a deliberate choice.

Common error

Avoid using "propensity" to describe isolated incidents or choices. It's better suited for describing consistent patterns of behavior or inherent tendencies, not one-time occurrences.

Linguistic Context

Propensity" functions primarily as a noun, denoting a natural inclination or tendency towards something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in describing habitual patterns or inherent characteristics. For instance, the example "He has a propensity for lengthy discussions" illustrates its noun function to express a tendency.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Formal & Business

23%

Science

24%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "propensity" is a noun denoting a natural tendency or inclination. Ludwig AI confirms it as a correctly used term in written English. With a high source quality score and expert rating, its use is considered appropriate across various contexts, notably in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Scientific domains. Related phrases include "tendency", "inclination", and "predilection", each carrying slightly different nuances. When using "propensity", remember to consider its scope and apply it to consistent patterns rather than isolated incidents.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tendency

This term denotes a general inclination or leaning towards a particular behavior or outcome, similar to "propensity" but often used in a broader sense.

inclination

Refers to a natural urge or impulse to act in a certain way, closely mirroring the meaning of "propensity".

tendency to

Focuses on the direction an action or thought process takes, it is a more literal expression than "propensity", which implies inclination.

predilection

Suggests a preference or special liking for something, implying a stronger positive inclination than "propensity".

proclivity

Indicates a natural or habitual inclination, often towards something undesirable or negative, adding a nuance of potential risk compared to "propensity".

predisposition

Highlights a susceptibility or vulnerability to something, whether it's a disease, behavior, or outcome, shifting the focus from active inclination to passive susceptibility compared to "propensity".

leaning

Implies a tendency or partiality towards a particular opinion, belief, or course of action, differing from "propensity" by specifically referencing opinion or belief.

aptitude

Denotes a natural ability or talent for something, highlighting innate skill rather than a general tendency unlike "propensity".

penchant

Suggests a strong liking or fondness, usually of a habitual or persistent nature, implying a stronger degree of enthusiasm compared to "propensity".

disposition

Refers to a person's inherent qualities of mind and character, more general than "propensity" which indicates a specific tendency.

FAQs

How can I use "propensity" in a sentence?

You can use "propensity" to describe a natural inclination or tendency. For instance, "He has a "propensity" for overreacting in stressful situations".

What are some alternatives to the word "propensity"?

Depending on the context, you could use words like "tendency", "inclination", or "predilection" as alternatives to "propensity".

Is it correct to say "a propensity to" or "a propensity for"?

Both "a propensity to" and "a propensity for" are grammatically correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. "A propensity to" is followed by a verb, while "a propensity for" is followed by a noun.

What is the difference between "propensity" and "predisposition"?

"Propensity" refers to a natural inclination or tendency, while "predisposition" implies a susceptibility or vulnerability to something. While similar, "predisposition" often suggests a higher likelihood of something occurring.